Celebrating 60 Years of “Viva Las Vegas”: Fun Facts and Trivia

“Viva Las Vegas” Celebrates 60th Anniversary: Fun Facts About the Iconic Film

In the world of classic movies, few are as iconic as “Viva Las Vegas,” starring the legendary Elvis Presley and the stunning Ann-Margret. As the film celebrates its 60th anniversary, fans are reminiscing about the onscreen chemistry between the two stars and the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded during production.

Here are some fun nuggets of knowledge about this beloved film:

1. It wasn’t going to be the duo’s first role together
Ann-Margret’s casting in “Viva Las Vegas” came after her stellar performance in “Bye Bye Birdie.” Interestingly, Elvis was initially considered for the lead role in “Bye Bye Birdie,” but his manager Col. Tom Parker turned it down, leading to Ann-Margret’s casting in the film.

2. Elvis wasn’t sure he wanted to do the film
Despite Ann-Margret’s popularity at the time, Elvis was hesitant to sign on to “Viva Las Vegas.” He was concerned that his talent wouldn’t match up to hers, but ultimately decided to take on the challenge.

3. There was no script
Surprisingly, there was no initial script for “Viva Las Vegas.” MGM executives assumed that the film would come together during production, and the script was written in just 11 days.

4. Director George Sidney & Col. Parker butt major heads
Director George Sidney and Col. Parker, Elvis’s manager, clashed during the filming of “Viva Las Vegas.” Parker pushed for more screen time and closeups of Elvis, while Sidney had his own vision for the film. The tension between the two resulted in a lack of a full soundtrack release for the film.

5. Do you own the original soundtrack?
Due to the disagreements between Sidney and Parker, the original soundtrack for “Viva Las Vegas” was never officially released. However, several iterations of the soundtrack have been released over the years, with songs featuring Ann-Margret on lead vocals never officially released.

6. Sparks were flying
Elvis and Ann-Margret’s onscreen chemistry in “Viva Las Vegas” led to rumors of a real-life romance between the two stars. While Elvis was dating Priscilla Presley at the time, rumors swirled that he had dumped her for Ann-Margret. The speculation only added to the film’s allure and mystique.

7. Now, about that “Viva Las Vegas” song!
The iconic song “Viva Las Vegas” was filmed in a continuous shot, making it the only Elvis movie to do so. Despite being released as a B-side single, the song has become synonymous with the city of Las Vegas and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.

As fans celebrate the 60th anniversary of “Viva Las Vegas,” the film continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret fans alike.